Design and development

Pilatus announced the development of the PC-12 at the annual convention of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in October 1989.[3] The two prototypes were completed on 1 May 1991, with the first flight taking place on May 31, 1991.[4] Certification of the type was originally planned for mid-1991 but a redesign of the wings (increase of wing span and addition of winglets to ensure performance guarantees were met) delayed this. Swiss certification finally took place on 30 March 1994, and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval followed on 15 July 1994.

As with many other Pilatus aircraft, the PC-12 is powered by a single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop engine (the PT6A-67B). It is certified for single-pilot IFR operations, though operators may choose to use a second flight crew member. Pilatus offers the PC-12 in a standard nine-seat airliner form, in a four-passenger seat/freight Combi version, and as a six-seat corporate transport with an option for a seven-seat by adding a three-seat bench in place of seats five and six.[5] A pure freighter model is under consideration.

Pilatus PC-12

Pilatus announced the PC-12NG (Next Generation) at the 2006 NBAA meeting in Orlando, and officially launched it during the NBAA 2007 in Atlanta.[6] The NG features a more powerful Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P engine with better climb performance and an increase in maximum cruise speed to 280 kts TAS. The NG also features a Honeywell Primus Apex glass cockpit. The revised cockpit includes automatic pressurization control as well as cursor controlled inputs to the navigation system. The PC-12 NG winglets have also been modified from the original version.

The PC-12M (Multipurpose) is based on the PC-12 NG, but equipped with a more powerful electrical generation system that enables addition of additional power-consuming equipment. This enable the PC-12M to perform missions such as flight inspection, air ambulance, aerial photography, and aerial surveillance. An optional utility door permits persons and cargo to be air-dropped by parachute. This version is marketed in the United States as the PC-12 Spectre paramilitary special missions platform.[7]

Operational history

Commercial, corporate, and private use

Most PC-12s are used as corporate transports, but recent regulatory changes in Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and the United States have cleared single engine turboprops such as the PC-12 for regional passenger transport operations in those countries. This opens a new market for the PC-12 as a regional airliner that would replace older twin piston-engined aircraft.

Military

Afghan Air Force ordered 18 PC-12NG variants for special operations use. (Similar to USAF U-28A);[21] to be delivered by July 2015. In addition Sierra Nevada Corporation will provide five SIGINT aircraft by the end of the year.[22]